We were in Spain at the same time as the OP -- in Barcelona a couple of days, then eight days in Bilbao and Donostia (San Sebastian). And last October we spent 10 days mostly in BCN sandwiched around a brief trip to Bilbao.

Sorry that this occurred, and we had been warned about pickpockets in Barcelona, especially on the Ramblas, but we personally did not see any evidence of an epidemic of street crime. To the contrary, we felt pretty relaxed the whole time, especially in Donostia, and we walked literally hours each day pretty much anywhere we pleased (trying to walk off the excess calories from those great Spanish meals and wines).

We didn't use public transport much, just the Rodalies train to/from Sant Pol de Mar to Barcelona, the airport shuttle to Placa Catalunya, and busses from Donostia to/from Getaria and from Bilbao to Donostia, but all of those felt really safe and secure.

I guess my point is that, while I'm sure incidents like this occur, Spain felt much safer than most USA big cities to us. Button up while strolling the Ramblas, be alert around crowds and you probably won't have any problems.

We are already planning a third trip for next year.

Some people don't get irony..... No surprise .

Not in "denial", just pointing out that millions of travellers enjoy the city without
feeling under siege - as we have done numerous times.

I take the OP's "experience " with a grain of salt , I have seen similar posts before:
no specifics and almost identical language.

If one googles " mugged in Paris or Rio, or New York" there is enough scary information to keep one at home.
(or spending every holiday in Germany),

danon says there is no special problem and you need take no special precautions in Barcelona - is just like other cities in Europe in that regard.

Well that is simply false and again perplexing why he/she insists of something that is obvious in light on just the several veteran travelers in this thread along that have been victimized.

why keep denying that there is a special problem here and special precautions should be taken - not that you should feel scared but just be super vigilant here, more than other places in Europe despite what danon wants to make out that there is no special problem. Serious disinformation to be ignored if wise.

Google 'ohtheplaceswewillgo' to see where it leads. You might find it interesting.

I was aware of this and was paranoid on our trip to that beautiful city. I wouldn't use the metro. I can't imagine why anyone would have a car in Barcelona or any other big city

Ironically, only place I was mugged was Brussels, not on anyone's top ten of muggings list. We were not quite as vigilant as usual. After all, it was Brussels.

Barcelona was great. But, we did not travel on metro or busses; we did remain vigilant. We stayed in a nice club in a nice area. We were off season so the Ramblas and Bouqueria were not crowded, much. We walked or took a taxi (or a double decker tour bus).

We thought about skipping it due to all the bad press, but I am glad we went, and glad we went with caution.

We took the metro and bus everywhere and walked the Ramblas. I'm not sure why we never got targeted, call me lucky, maybe. I absolutely love Barcelona and didn't feel any more unsafe or safe there than in other European cities that we have traveled to. We walked back late at night from Born to our apartment in Eixample without incident, twice. Our walk took us through dark, quiet alleyways to Plazas to boulevards and we had no problems. The walk was recommended to us by a bartender at a small jazz club in Born who said it was too lovely an evening to wait for a bus, why not walk? so we did and were happy for the experience.

People need to understand the nature of the crime been discussed. Pickpocketing is a crime of opportunity, not a crime of violence nor a crime of lonely streets. Its setting is CROWDS and it is not meant to be noticed by ANYBODY. People who dismiss others's warnings and talk about nice evening walks are being incredibly naive. I travel to Barcelona frequently on business. The lines on police stations are the largest lines I have ever seen in any city I have ever been to (been all over the world).

I have written letters to the Mayor's Office on the blatant lack of police enforcement. The basic premise of their response is "when tourists are the target, their constituency (locals) are not". Shameful.

There has been countless DOCUMENTARIES done of Barcelona pickpocketers; so, do you really think this is not an issue for a visitor to be concern about? Really?? How deep is your head in that hole???

Viajero2 - great post. We are returning to Barcelona because we love it but we know we have to be vigilant.

During one of many trips to Spain, we saw, 25 years ago, two crimes in Sevilla. One was the notorious two guys on a motor scooter stealing a purse and other the breaking of a car window. We have visited Barcelona a number of times and nothing happened. We knew in advance that crime was bad at that time in Andalucia and we were prepared.

My wife was pickpocketed in Chicago and I was pickpocketed in Istanbul, even though I put my wallet in front pocket.

Palenq's sister had an unfortunate incident in Madrid a number of years ago and now he is the Spain vigilante.
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There is 25% unemployment in Spain and youth unemployment is over 50%. These are economic conditions for crime. So as everyone else, has stated be aware.

And BTW, everything about you screams tourist from the way you walk down the street, your hair, glasses, belt, shoes, what part of town you are in, besides the two cameras around your neck and the upside guide book, so do not think you will outsmart the thieves in that respect.

Barcelona is definitely a pickpocket's haven. Lissabon has become one too, especially on the trams and trains. However one needs to especially careful in any city, especially when using trains, buses and trams. One of the most notorious places to be pickpocketed is as one is getting on and off publc transportation or is standing in a crowded place.

Remember to keep your purse tucked under your arm at ALL TIMES and try not to carry more money with you than you have to. I would also suggest keeping your credit cards and passport in a very secure place and having a separate small wallet in an outside pocket, filled with a daily allowance of money for quick purchases. That will keep you from having to dig through your purse and will help keep the transactions short. Also, in case of a pickpocket, your losses will be kept at a minimum.

"And BTW, everything about you screams tourist from the way you walk down the street, your hair, glasses, belt, shoes, what part of town you are in, besides the two cameras around your neck and the upside guide book, so do not think you will outsmart the thieves in that respect."

Who says that every traveler has to look like a caricature of a tourist.
Perhaps, those who don't are less of target.

There has been countless DOCUMENTARIES done of Barcelona pickpocketers; so, do you really think this is not an issue for a visitor to be concern about? Really?? How deep is your head in that hole???>

so Viajero2 in your take is just exaggerating the problem - no - take hed of what this insider wrote and change you tune perhaps that Barcelona poses no unusual problems over other cities.

You constantly playing down the problem only plays into the street criminals hands - you obviously know diddly squat about Barcelona save being a casual tourist there a few times it seems and then pretending you know all about this to you highly exaggerated problem - again read viajero's more insider take and get up to speed.

I think that those posters who say take care where ever you travel are correct. Try to fit in to your surroundings if at all possible and then just enjoy where you are. Barcelona, Lisbon, Istanbul all great cities that I have enjoyed and have had the good fortune not to have been pickpocketed in. Why, who knows?, other than I am as careful as I can be without being too paranoid and don't carry all my stuff with me ever. I wouldn't focus on any one place in Europe to worry about or warn people of, just go, travel, enjoy, and be careful.

I too once lamented the petty lawlessness in Spain since Franco, even considering writing Queen Sophia about the issue. However...

I think everyone is overlooking a possible benefit of traveling to Barcelona since Franco. If you run short on Euros, you can always 'borrow' a purse for extra cash with zero, it seems that way at least, chance that law enforcement even cares. Further, if the purse has no money, you can still have a prop & makeup for a disquise to double up in bars that offer the best complimentary Tapas. Better yet, showing off a 'borrowed purse' there might get you accepted into a local social group

We were warned about this happening in many cities. We were told of the flat tire scam, the needing help scam, the squirting of mustard or something and an apologetic person "helping" you clean off your clothing, the people including children who pickpocket, cut your purse straps, hold fake babies, the list went on forever!! We took NO jewelry with us having been told in Italy they will ride a vespa or something past you and grab necklaces right off your neck, or your purse of course! I am sorry this happened to you on your honeymoon, if you ever travel again there read everything you can before going. I went shopping alone (walking) in Barcelona the day we arrived, to get a few groceries. I had never been there, and it was safe.

We traveled all over Spain when Franco was still alive. There was drug use then off La Rambla and the Guardia Civil used to parade up and down the train aisles with their machine guns, reading material was limited, and there was a law that every company had to 51% owned by a Spaniard or Spanish company discouraging foreign investment. Few went to university, many people who lived on farms barely subsided, blind Civil War veterans sold lottery tickets and there was 40 year void in Spanish culture.

Yes, it was a paradise.

"Barcelona is the fourth most visited city "

Sorry, but this is foolish. Obviously the most tourists there are visiting, the more reports of such crimes. Being a victim of pick-pocketing has more to do with luck and the crowd than vigilance, and the more crowded cities will have the highest frequency of these crimes. "Avoid Barcelona at all costs" is extreme, but you can't really fault the poster for that sentiment after their experience.

I'm lucky to have never been robbed before, especially since in some of my travels in my younger years (below 22), I've left valuable items unattended for long periods of time. So thanks OP for this post. I'm going to Rome and Florence in September, and I was worried about this earlier but it's nice to have a reminder for my pre-trip preparations.

A couple we met in Italy were attacked in Pisa, but because they had been to the show on the cruise ship that told them what to look for, they realized what was happening before it was too late.

It's sad that ohtheplaceswewillgo has decided not to return to her original post. We'd all like to know about her other adventures and experiences in Spain on her honeymoon other than her good time in Donostia.

Other than her original statement and the brief comment on SS, "and the sounds if the ocean are definitely helping lower any anxiety I had left over from our trip to Barcelona". she hasn't said much. Maybe she has decided to stay at home, wherever that may be.

You would have a hard time hearing the "sounds of the ocean" in San Sebastian if staying in the city. La Concha Bay only makes noise during the winter when the storms roll in. Other than that, it's a fairly quiet body of water.